Vacuum-controlled fuel-supply system



July 19, 1927. 1,535,496

M. C. BRIGHT VACUUM CONTROLLED FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM Filed Dec. 16. 1922- .3937 INVENTOR.-

x 45 BY A TTORNEY.

Patented July 19, 1927.

UNITED s 'rafrlsis`v "PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN C. BRIGHT, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR T0 BERNERD 1B. CARLIN,

or" CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VACUUM-CONTROLLED Application led December vehicle carrying a fuel reservoir or tank in.

a convenient position which usually is too low to permit liquid fuel to flow therefrom by force of gravity to the carbureter commonly arranged adjacent to the engine, and the invention relates more particularlyto a vacuuml tank and means whereby to control the supply of fuel through the tank to the engine.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved vacuumecontrollcd fuel-supply system. of the above-mentioned character, and especially' an improved vacuum tank and apparatus associated therewith for con-- trolling the flow of the fuel into and out of the tank with ample volume to feed the carbureter of the engine.

Another object is to providel improve# ments in a vacuum tank of the character described inLetters Patent No. 1.374.988, granted to me April 19, 1921, more particularly with respect to controlling apparatus pertaining to the tank. n

A further object is to provide animproved vacuum tank which shall be so constructed as to be compact and have means whereby vacuum shall be properly `maintained and positively controlled te supply an adequate supply of fuel under varying conditions of operation, especially when a motor vehicle is ascending a hill when interruption of the supply of fuel mightbe disastrous, improvements ofthis character having beenv described but not claimed in my application for' Letters Patent filed April 25. 1921. Serial N0. 464 246.

A still further object is to provide buoyant-automatic vacuum-controlling means in vacuum tanks which shall be simple and adapted to operate reliably, and which shall be so constructed as tokobviate the necessity of employing various mechanical devices in connection therewith which may be liable to become deranged and ineflicient in operan tion, an aim being to provide an improved vacuum tank and controlling means therefor which shall be adapted to bemanufactured mimi-SUPPLY SYSTEM 1e, 1922. serial No. 607,306.5

at small Ycost in large `numbers principally by means of machinery', and which shall be durable and leconomical in use,

-With theabove-mentioned and other' ob# jects in view, the invention consists in a vacuum-controlled` fuel-supply system `l1aving novel co-relatedfeatures whereby to lift and to feed liquid, Vespecially hydro-carbon; and,` the linvention consists also further Iin the novel parts, andin the combinations 'and arrangements of parts as hereinafter particularly.described and kfurther defined the claims appended: hereto.

Referring to` the drawingsj Figure l. is a side elevation of t-he fuel-supply system, including an automobile engine or motor indicated in outline by broken lines; Fig. 2 is a vertical central section ofthe improvedy vacuum tank comprised inthe fuel-supply system; Fig. 3 is a top, plan of the vacuum tank, partially in section on the line III- III .in Fig. 2; Fig...4 is a reproduction of the upper portion of Fig. 2z 0n an enlarged scale, parts of the lapparatus lbeincr shown indifferent positions; Fig. 5 is a ragmentary section on lthe/line V--V in Fig. 4; and, Fig. 6 Ais a fragmentary reproduction of Fig. 4, slightly modified.

VIn the different figures of the drawings similar reference characters indicate corresponding elements or features of construction herein particularly referred to.

y The lfuel-supply system will be understood generally by reference. to Fig. 1 in which the numeral 1 indicates theforward portion of an automobilebody, 2'an internal-combustion engine,. 3v the front of the engine housing or radiator,r and4 the intake man1- fold ofthe engine. Any suitable carbureter 5 may be employed.` the same usually having a mixingtube f6 leading toand connected with thepintake manifold, the lower portion of the` carbureter having a suitable fuel inlet which may be a neck or conduit 7 to conduct the lioluidy fuel from a feedreservoir -or float chamber which for the purpose ofthe present invention mayvcomprise a cylindrical bodv 8 and a bottom 9. A float 10 is arranged above the bottom and is guided 'preferably onv a guide rod l1 secured to the bottom. the oathaving a valve stem 12 on its top which hasy a feed-valve 13 on its upper end..

i voir.

and constituting the bottom ofthe upper one Y Preferably the wall 14 of the chambers. has an outwardly offset portion below the bottom 19 so'y as to provide an annular top portion 21 extending about the wall 14. The bottom 19 constitutes the top of the lower one ofthe` chambers and also the top of'a middle chamber preferably arranged in theA lowei chamber,` the middle chamber comprising a neck 22 which is connected tothe partition 19'and extends'downwar'd therefrom, the neck having an elbow portion 23 from which extends a lateral outlet port 24, the terminal of the port structure being faced as a valve seat and inclined so that its lower portion protrudes slightly farther than its lupper portion. duct 25 therein permitting lthe fuel in the upper chamber to descend into the middle chamber. `Vhen setting the vacuum tank on a m-otor vehicle, the arrangement must be such; as to permit the outlet Vport of the midright angles to the face of the pOlt.

Idle chamber to be directed towards the rear of the automobile. The wall of the neck 22 has a controller box 26 thereon in which is an inclined bore 27 that extends from the neck wall upwardly, being approximately gravity-valve 28 is arranged on the face of the port and is connected to apivot 29 supported by theupper portion of the wall of I the port, and the valve has a finger 30 theref on which extends intothe bore 27 and is engaged by a weight ball 31 L freely guided in the -borejw'hen the vacuum tank is tilted backward as a result of the Vehicle ascending a hill, to4 counteract the tendency of the valve 28 und-er such circumstances to swing open and' possibly reduce the vacuum in the upper chamber of the tank,

Preferably vthe kupper portion of the vacuum" tank has an annular expansion chamber `32 on the outer side thereof to which vent tubes 33 are connected that are connected also'to the top portion 21 of the lower chamber, so that liquid in the'lower chamber may rise or expand into the tubes.

A fuel-supply conduit 34 is connected with the head or top part 18and extends to a i'eservoir (not shown), usually lower and distant fromthe vacuum tank. Preferably a discharge pipe 35 is connected with the top part 18 and the Vconduit 34 and extends downwardly towards the wall 14.

The top part 18 has a central boss 36 integraltherewith and avalve chest 37 Vcon- The' partition 19 has av nected with the boss, the boss having a vac-` uum chamber 38 therein that is connected with a bore or suction duct 39 formedin the valve chest. A nipple 40 is screwed into the valve chest and has a suction-ductv4l extending therethrough, land a suction conduit 42 is connected to the nipple and also in any desired manner withthe intake manifold of the engine, being preferably connected directly withthe mixing tube 6'of the carbureter or pipe leading to the intake manifold. I

Preferably theV vacuum'y tankl is provided with a check-valve to prevent injury or damage by explosion which might result from back-firing of the engiiiei kAccordingly the bore 39 has a valve seat 43 at'the outer-endof the chamber 38 to be engaged lbv a preferable cup-valve 44 loosely arranged in the borer39 and receiving a stop projection 45 on the inner end of the nipple 40, the projection having ports 46 providing communication between the duct 41 and the bore' 39, there being communication past the valve 44"with the vchamber 38 throughthe Valve seat when the valve is drawn away from the valve seat by the engine suction, theV valve being stopped against Vthe projection. In case back-firing occurs the valve is forced against the valveseat andcloses communication with bore 49 vertically (arranged therein above the chamberl 38. A valve 50 is arrangedl to operate on the valve seat 48 and-itis fixed toa rod 51 that extends upward into the guide bore 49 and has a head 52 fixed thereon bore and limittlie movement of the valve 5() away from its seat. The valve 50 has a downward-extending stem 53ixed thereto for controlling the valve. A suitable float 54 is arranged in the upper chamber of thevacuum tank and has a yoke 55 on its top V that i is slidingly arranged in connectionwiththe stem 53, permitting the yoke to be moved upward into Contact with tliebody of the c valve 50, the yoke beinglimited yin its downward movement on the stem by. contact `with a suitable head 56 on the stem, the head preferably being hook-liketo permit easy connection with the yoke; The top of the boss 36 has an upward-extending annular valve seat 57 that is concentric to the guide bore 49, and forming an"equalizing-chamber. The boss has also ducts 58 and 59 adjacent to the inner side of the valve seat vand connecting with the vacuum chamber 38.v A ydisk or pop-valve 60 isv arranged to operate upon the seat 57 as a combined accelerator and resistance device, and it has a stein ,61 that is guided in the guide bore 49, and may be en` am. that may be S'OPPG 011 the lower endjof the zwL gaged' by the head 52 to force the valve from its seat and to hold the valve in open position. A cap 62 is secured: to the boss, coveringy the top of the boss and therewith forming a circulation chamber in which the popvalve 60 operates. The arrangement'is such that when the valve is lowered from its seat, the: valve is permitted to rest on its seat.

'A vent-'valve preferably is provided for the vacuum chamber and is suitably arranged and preferably has valve. chest 63- upon tlie top part 18- at a suitable distance from the boss 36 and having a duct 64 connected therewith that extends into the boss and' upward into the chamber above the boss so as to have communication With the ducts 58 andl 59- when the pop-valve 60 is unseated. The valve chest 63 is vertical and has a port (l5-in the bottom thereof communicating with the lvacuum chamber. 'A valve body 66 is vertically guidedV inthe valve. chest andk it has avalve 67 onv its lower end adapted to close the. port 65, the valve preferably having aprojection 68 thereon that extends through theV port when the latter is closed.v

The upper portion of thevalve body 66 preferably has a valve 69 thereon arranged to operate on anV annular stop seat rTO arranged in the valve chest 63. The top part` 18 has a conduit 7l therein extending from the lower portion of the valve chest 63, and also a duct 72 connected with the conduit 71 and the chamber 32, the conduit 71 being open to the atmosphere, preferablyk through a goose-neck 73 connected therewith to exclude dust.

In order to guard against the valve 66 stickingy to its seat, in some cases the top part 18 is provided with a hanger 74v adjacent to the port .65 and a cam 75 is pivotedthereto beneath the projection 68 on the vent-valve, the cam having a rod 76 fixed thereon that is controlled by having'suitable connection With the; body of thefvalve 50, the body having a: circumferential groove 77 into-'Which the rod 76 extends, the arrangementV being such as to enablev the float in its upward movement to cause operation of the caml so as to start and lift the valve 67 from its seat-r and insure admission 'of air into'the vacuum chamberat the proper time.

In some cases a valve chest 7 Sis arranged` in the` boss 36 and has communication tlf1-rou, ,fhl a duct 79 with the chamber inthe cap 62', shown in Fig. 6', the bottom ofthe vvalve chest having a port extending to the vacuum chamber, the valve body 66 being arranged in the valve chest and having the valves 67 andV 69, the latter being stopped against a ring or seat- 71 ixedfin the valve chest, the conduit 71 extending tothe lower portion of the valve chest, such being a compact arrangement When it may not be necessary to force the vent-valve from its seat.

Or, the valve 50 may be adapted to extend under theprojection 68 whereby tov unseat the valve 67. f

In practical use, the float chamber having been supplied with gasoline or other liquid fuel, the engine may be started and supplied through the carbureter with fuel,v the engine causing suction through the suction conduit 42. The float 54 being suspended lin the vacuum tank chamber and holding down the; valve 50, suction occurs through the port 47 andl causes the formation of vacuum. in the upper or vacuum chamber, the valves 60 and 67 being seated and preventing entrance of atmospheric air. The lower chamber in the vacuum tankbeing vented, ther liquidv is permitted to be drawn into the. carbureter. The valve28 excludes'the at,- mospheric air fromthe middle and upper chamber, and' when. the air is drawn out from the chambers the vacuum. occurs: therein, the fuel is drawn through. the conduit 34 hillV the tendency of the valveQS toswing open is counteractedl by the'weight ball 31v While the operation of supplying the upper: chamber with fuel vis continued, a considerable volume therein causing the valve 28 to release a sufficient quantity ofl fuel to supply the lower chamber so'that the valve 28` is sealed by the liquid which prevents the atmospheric air from passing to the* valve. Then theliquid inthe vacuum chamber rises and lifts the float 54 the yoke 55 is carried upto the body of the valve 50 and may move the va'lve until the head 52. closesr the space above it and engages'the stem 61', op:- erating the cam if present in the structure, to later dislodge the valve 67 fromitsfseat. While the suction through the ducts 58 and` 59 strongly tends to hold the relatively large valve 60 toits seat, the suction still occurring past the valve 50, the upward movement of the float is momentarilyarrested, but' as vthe liquid rises still fartherin the vacuum chamber the buoyancy Aof the float is increased and it is forced upward: and causes the pop-valve 60 to be suddenly forced.y from its seat, in some cases the action causing a hammer-blow by the head 52 against the ste1n'61. The

valve 50 having become suddenly seated and the pop-valve 60 opened, suction occurs through the ducts 58', the chamber inv which the popvalve 60 operates, and through the conduit 64, resulting in cheval-ve body 66 being-l mechanioally lifted and then drawn upward and held by the suction, so that the valve 6'?.A opens the port 65 and later admits atmospheric air into the vacuum chamber. As the fuel is drawn off and fed to the carbureter the iloatdescends a short distance while the suction holds the Lvalve in closed position until the yoke on the float engages the'head 56 on'the valve stem and draws'the valve 5() slightly downward, permitting the popfvalve to become'seated suddenly by lsuction and heldrlosed by the force of the suction, the valve -60 in its descent pushing the valve 50 completely from itsfseat, while suction again occurs 4through the port 47, the valve body G6 having been freed andgravitating downward and Carry ing the 'valve 67 to its seat. yThe operations are repeated automatically and a proper supply oifuel mintained.

yVVhatI claim asnew is yl. A-v vacuum-controlled fuel-supply system including a vacuum tank, a suction conduithaving connectionV with the tank, a' main valve in the tank to close the'conduit, a buoyant device in the tank having a con- Y n'ection to move the valve to ,close the conduit, and resistance means eltectiveto tem-` porarily arrest the closing operation of the valve and subjectto `suction in the conduit and to a greater rdegree than the main valve.

v2; A vacuum-controlled fuel-supply system including va vacuum tank, a suction conduit having connection with the tank and providedwith a suctioncut-oii` valve and a relatively larger and ila-t faced resistance valve'and seat having a quick-action popvalve character, the valves co-operating and subject to suction in Vthe conduit to effect intermittent sudden closingandV opening of the conduit, and a buoyant device to move the suction-cutotl` valve. i l

3; A vacuum-controlled fuel-supply system including a vacuum chamber, a fuelsupply conduit and a suction conduit connected with the chamber, a main valve to intermittently 'close the suction conduit and adapted tobe removably held by suction in closed position, a variably-buoyant `float loosely connected wit-h the main valve to control its operation, and a diametrically larger suction-closed quick-actiontype pop-valve constructed and arranged to resist and momentarily. arrest closing` operation bythe main valve' and -suddenlyyiel'din'g under increasing buoyancy of the float.

4. A vacuum-controlled fuel-supply system including a vacuum chamber, a suction conduit having connection with the chamber, a main valve movable inv the chamber to be seated-to close the conduit, a buoyant de-- vice in the chamber c-onnected with the main valve to move the valve to partially open the conduit, and a diametrically larger suction-closed; quick-action type valve constructed and arranged to suddenly and further move `the main valve to Jfully openthe conduit. 4 ,y

5. A vacuum-c0ntrolled fuel-supply sys-I tem including a normallyl vert-ical vacuum' tank with two chambers 'therein' arranged one above the other and .also a middlefcham-v ber connected with the upper oneot the two chambers, they middle chamber/being pro-` vided with an outlet to the lower one ofthe two chambers having an automatically-acting valve responding to liquid-pressure, and-y adjustably movable means adaptedlrto autof matically act, when the tank leansvin'fone direction from the vertical, to increase the resistance of the valve to thefliquid pressure. y f Y Y l 6. A vacuum-controlled fuel-supply system including a, normally vertical vacuum tank with two chambers therein arranged one above the other, the lower onen-fthe chambers having a middle chamber therein and in direct connection with the uppermost one of the chambers, the middle chamber be-f ing provided with acontrolling valve adapted to automatically permit downward flow of liquid responsive to varying columntpres-` sure, and means automatically a'ctingon the valve, when the tank leans in one direction from the verticahto variably-increase the resistance oi' the valve to increasingcolumn pressure. Y

7. A vacuum-controlled l fuel-supply system including a normally vertical ,vacuum tank having an upper chamber; and ayen'ted lower chamber and also a middle chamber fr connected together, thel lower chamber bein directly beneath the upper chamber, the Inidg` dle chamber being within the lowerk chamber and provided with a controlling valve adapted to normally control downward flowy of liquid and to prevent. flow. of air upward through the middle chamber, and adjustably movable compensating means automatically co-operating with the ycontrolling valve, when the tank v.is tilted in one .directionfrom thevertical to variably load the. valveand restrain normal operationthere'of whereby to prevent upward flow ofa-irl into'theupper chamber. Y -v 8. A vacuum-controlled fuel-supply .system includinga `vacuum chamber having` a head provided with a suction` conduithaving a port connected with the chamber, the head having a suction-equalizing: chamber- `and a plurality of .ducts connected therewith and with the suction conduit, affloatcontrolled main valve arrangedfor closing or opening the port and having a rod thereon extending towards the suctionfequalizing chamber, andA a quick-action type pop-valve covering the 125 valve having a materially greater diameter than the main valve anda stem to be engaged by the rod on the main valve to instantly force the pop-valve from place. y

Y .9. A vacuum-controlled fuel-supply ksystem including a vacuum chamber provided with a suction conduit having a downwardyextending port connected with the chamber and an upward-extending port provided with a relatively large Ydiameter pop-valve seat facing upward, the seat having an inclosing chamber, a vent-valve for the vacuum chamber having a duct connected with the inclosing chamber, a quick-action type pop-valve to operate upon thevpop-valve seat, a main valve that is diametrically smaller than the pop-valve to close the downward-extending port and having a rod thereon arranged to engage and be stopped by the pop-valve and to suddenly lift the ypop-valve in advance of closing action of the main valve, and a float in thevacuum chamber loosely connected with and controlling the main valve.

10. In a fuel-supply system for explosion engines, the combination witha suction conduit, a main valve to close or open the con,- duit, and a buoyant device operatively connected with the main valve, of a combined resistance and accelerating valve of the quick-acting popping type acting with greater force than the main valve under the iniiuence of suction to momentarily resist closing movement of the main valve or to accelerate the opening movement of the main valve. v

11. In a. fuel-supplysystem for explosion engines, the combination with a vacuum tank, of a suction conduit exten-ding to the vacuum tank, a main valve in the tank to close or open the end of the suction conduit, a buoyant device having loose operative connection with the main valve and normally moving the valve slowly and partially from the end of the conduit, and means including a relatively larger valve automatically operating on the main valve adapted to accelerate its movement to completely open the conduit following its initial opening movement.

12. In a fuel-supply system for explosion engines, the combination with a vacuum tank, of a circulation chamber, a suction conduit leading to the vacuum tank, suction ducts connected with the suction conduit and the circulation chamber, a main valve arranged in the vacuum tank to close or open the suction conduit, a buoyant device to float Iin the vacuum tank connecte-d with and controlling the main valve, and a resistance valve having greater covering area than the main valve arranged in the circulation chamber to close or open the chiots and provided with connections enabling the resistance valve influenced by suction in the ducts to momentarily hold open the main valve and thereby retard rising of the buoyant' device and enabling the device to suddenly force the main valve to vclosed position;` Y

13. In a fuel-supply systemfor explosion engines, the combination with a l vacuum tank, of a circulation chamber having an upwardly-projecting annular valve seat therein to constitute an equalizing-chamber, a suction conduit leading to the vacuum tank, suction ducts'connected with the suction conduit and the equalizing-chamber, a mainl valve arranged to close or 'open the suction conduit in vthe vacuum :tank and having. a rod thereon extending towards the equaliz-A ing-chamber, a buoyant device loosely connected with andoperating the main valve, and a quick action type of pop-valve in the circulation chamber having larger diameter than the main valve to be suddenly drawn to the valve seat by suction through the ducts and the equalizing-chamber and having a stem thereon arranged to strike and push said rod and quickly force the main valve away from the suction conduit following unseating ot' the main` valve. v i

14. In a fuel-supply system for explosion engines, the combination with a vacuumvtank wall, of a head fixed upon said wall and having a vacuum chamber therein and also a suction conduit extending to the chamber, the head being provided with a port extending downwardl from said chambery to the under side of the head, the head having also a guide bore extending downward from the top thereof in alinement with said port and ducts extending from the vacuum chamber to the top of Vthe head adjacent toY saidbore, an annular valve seat extending upward from the top of the head concentric to said bore and forming an equalizing-chamber into which sai-d ducts extend, a pop-valve to co-operate with said seatto cover said ducts and said bore and having a stem extending 'downward into and guided in said bore, a main valve that is smaller than the pop-valve arranged at the lower `end of said port to co-operate therewith and having a rod thereon extending upward into said bore, the rod being provided with a head to be moved to the bottom of the bore or to said pop-valve stem, there being a space between said stem and said rod hea-d when the main valve is open and the pop-valve closed, and a buoyant device operatively connected loosely with the main valve.

15. In a fuel-supply system for explosion engines, the combination with a vacuum` chamber and a suction conduit extending thereto, of a main valve in the chamber to close or to open the end of the suction conduit, a buoyant device having limited slipping connection with the main valve ultimately to move the valve to partially open the conduit, and means including a quickaction pop-valve that is diametrically larger tha'nthe main valve and adapted to suddenly strike and completely unseat the main valve to fully open the conduit.

16."A vacuum-controlled fuelsupply system including a vacuum tank provided with a liquid-supply connection and a suction conduit, a float in the tank, a conduit cut-ofi' valve and a vent valve actuated by the rise of the float to closethe suction con-duitand to open the vent valve, and resistance means subject to suction in the conduit and to a greater degree than the cut-off valve to mo mentarily arrest the closing of the conduit.

17 In a fuel-supply system 'for explosion engines, the vcombination with amain vacuum chamber wall, of a head upon the wall provided with a horizontal vacuum chamber and a main suction conduit section connected therewith, the head having also a central port extending downward from said horizontal chamber to the under side of the head and a guide bore vertically arranged above said horizontal chamber in alinement with the central port, the guide bore having a closure in its upper portion, a main valve arranged to close the lower end ot the central port, a rod fixed to the mainfvalve and extending upward through said horizontal chamber and into said guide bore and having a head fixed to its top to contact with the bottom of the boreon downward `movements of the main valve, and buoyant means loosely connected with the main valve to move and control the valve. l

18. In a fuel-supply system for explosion engines2 the combination with a main vacuum chamber wall, of a head upon the wall having a horizontal vacuum chamber therein and a main suction con-duit extending to the chamber and also a central port extending downward from said horizontal chamber, the: head, having a vertical lguide bore above said horizontal chamber in alinementwithI the central port and also .an annular upstanding valve seat extending about the top of the guide bore and ductsarranged adjacent to the lguide bore and extending from said horizontal chamber to thevspace inclosed by said Valvevseat, a-cap on the head covering said valveseat, a main valve ar ranged to operate in the lower end of the central port and having'a guid-e rod. thereon extending lupward into said bore with means to operate and control the valve, anda popvalve arranged to operate upon said valve seat and therewith constitute anfeq'ualizingchamber, the pop-valve having a stem fixed thereto that is guided in the guide borev to engage or be engaged by said Ouide rod. f

19. In a fuel-supply system `Ior explosion engines, a vacuum tank provided withva liquid-supply connection, asuction l conduit connected with the tank, an air vent-port,"a

vent valve for closing said port, a `float in the vacuum tank, a cut-off valve directly actuated by the rising of the tloatto close the vacuum conduit, a resistance valve havn ing a materially greater area than lthe cuto valve to momentarilyarrest closing Inovement oit the cut-ottl valve, the cut-offl valve operating'tinally to unseat lthe resistance valve by the rising of the l'loat, and positive `means controlled by the rising of the lloat operating to unseat the vent valve in ad-y vance oi' the closing of the Cut-od valve and substantially coincident with the unseating ot' the resist-ance valve. f 1

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature on the 12th day of December 1922. Y* v MARTIN C. BRIGHT.,Y 

